About the Ocean Rights Movement

The Ocean Rights Movement is a global and inclusive movement of individuals, organisations, governments and institutions committed to advancing an ethical relationship between humanity and the Ocean.

Our Approach

Ocean Rights is not about imposing a single legal vision. It's about embracing diverse pathways grounded in cultural, legal and ethical traditions that centre care for the Ocean.

While the term Ocean Rights is rooted in Western legal traditions, the aspiration it reflects—the need to live in respectful, reciprocal relationship with the Ocean—is shared across cultures, worldviews and legal systems. Many Indigenous and customary frameworks already embody ethical relationships with the Ocean that go beyond the Western language of rights.

We acknowledge that legal pluralism and the coexistence and interaction of multiple legal systems and approaches is vital to achieving a just and inclusive global Ocean governance framework. Recognising this, the Movement does not seek to impose a singular legal approach, but rather to support and monitor the diverse and context-specific ways in which States, communities and institutions are working to honour the Ocean's intrinsic value and ensure its protection.

While the recognition of the Ocean’s rights in law is one powerful pathway, it is not the only one. Our approach embraces a broad understanding of what it means to foster an ethical human-Ocean relationship, which may include, but is not limited to:

We are guided by the understanding that international declarations—such as a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights (UDOR)—can establish shared ethical and normative foundations, while still allowing States and communities to implement them according to their own legal systems, cultural values and governance models. Our goal is to create the enabling conditions for this shift through dialogue, visibility, and coordination, supporting multiple pathways toward a shared goal: a thriving Ocean and a just, respectful human-Ocean relationship.

Building a Global Collective

To support this vision, the Ocean Rights Movement, powered by Ocean Vision Legal, is working to establish a formal, coordinated Collective of individuals, organisations, governments, and institutions committed to advancing Ocean Rights. Currently, the Collective operates informally as we focus on building the foundations for a more structured approach.

This evolving platform aims to serve as a bridge for international collaboration, enabling organisations, communities, institutions and States to coordinate meaningful action toward an ethical human-Ocean relationship.

Start by signing the Ocean Rights Declaration — it’s open to organisations and individuals, with flexibility to engage as much as you’re able (organisational logos will be visible on the website).

If your organisation is keen to play an active role in shaping the Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights, you’ll be invited to join the Collective through a shared MOU.

If you are an individual,join the movement by using this form.

If you are an organisation, group or institution,join the movement by using this form.